Don't Stare at the Sun

Querido Familia y Amigos,

If anyone gets the reference of my email title I will be soo happy. Missionaries are easily entertained so please humor me haha. But for real, if anyone has cool pictures of the solar eclipse I very sadly missed, please please send them to me! We were instructed not to try to look at the solar eclipse on Monday because no one had the special glasses. Its a little sad because the missionaries in my mission in Utah got to see it pretty close to the path of totality. Pero esta bien, I'm just *llorando en espanol*.

Anyway, what a week its been!! I decided that its impossible for me to share every cool or spiritual thing that happens here at the CCM, so I'm going to settle for sharing a few experiences that hopefully gives a decent glimpse.

Personally, I've been working on a few things lately. The funny thing about being on a mission is that you learn a lot about yourself very fast, especially things you need to work on! I've realized I need to work on being more humble and trusting God and my companion, especially when we are teaching. When I let go of my need to feel prepared and in control of a situation, the Spirit can guide me a lot easier to what I need to say. Especially when I really listen to our "investigators"(we started teaching two new ones this week) with love, I am able to help them with their needs so much easier. Challenge to you all, next time you have a conversation with someone you care about, really try to just listen to them!

On Sunday I had a cool opportunity to give a short talk- all in SPANISH- for my zone's sacrament meeting (church service). It was about repentance, and my district and I chose to focus on the theme of how we as missionaries, representative of Jesus Christ, have the privilege and responsibility to extend the hand of mercy and repentance that the Savior extends to all of us. I used the analogy in the famous painting, where it looks like the Savior is reaching his hand towards the drowning viewer. I know that that hand is extended to all of us and no one is beyond the reach of Christ's Atonement! I enjoyed giving the talk and afterwards some natives came up to me and told me they were pleasantly surprised with my Spanish! I don't know if that means I'm actually decent at it or if I only sound a little less gringa than they normally here from us American missionaries haha. I've still got a long way to go to be fluent!

Phrase of the week: "Oh my gatitos!" Mexican food of the week: Jumex! (literally jugo de mexico, this fruit juice that my companion and I have gotten pretty attached to haha)

Scripture of the week: John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." and Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Also if you need a pick me up go read Mosiah 4 in the Book of Mormon. Believe in God! :)

Speaking of those scriptures about peace, we had an AMAZING devotional on tuesday from our CCM president, Presidente Bennett, and his wife. He talked all about our privilege as missionaries to invite others to repent and come unto Christ. What that means is that Christ offers a new life! To everyone! No lost causes, and he can change everything! And those scriptures about peace, he described, are claimed by the truly repentant. I was very moved by the powerful Spirit in the room testifying that this peace is available to me and everyone I will teach! Then the crazy stuff happened. Near the end, Presidente Bennett said he felt like he should call two missionaries up to share their testimonies. And suddenly I just KNEW before he said anything, that I was one of those missionaries. Sure enough, he called Sister Alley up in front of the whole CCM, hundreds of missionaries, to share what I believe about peace. Aah! Actually you would think it would be scary but the spirit was so strong all I could feel was love in my heart! There's a lot I could've said but I kept it simple, and I actually don't remember most of what I said because the Spirit was completely working through me and it was SO cool. I testified that Christ is the only way to find true peace in this life, and I knew from experience he would help us overcome our trials and weakness. Afterwards it was surreal to have missionaries come up to me and thank me for what I shared. But I know they learned more from the Spirit than from what I said. It was a powerful lesson to me that I as a missionary really am nothing. All the glory goes to God, who I want to let work through me as much as I can, like he did in front of the whole CCM! Alma 26:12 has become one of my favorite scriptures: "...I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things"! I will treasure that experience!

On a side note, if you want to send me cake or something and make my day all that and more is possible through missionarypackagemx lol I feel like a salesperson.

Well everyday is different at the CCM, we have rough growing moments and glorious, spirit-filled, successful moments. But my companion and I are always there for each other, and of course Christ is especially! I've heard the MTC described like a pressure cooker, we have very intense experiences here to jumpstart intense personal growth! It's hard but amazing and I am grateful for it.

I'm out of time as always but thanks to those who send me emails! I'm sorry I can't respond to everyone!

Les amo a ustedes!!

Hermana Alley

P.S. I have more pictures than these but I forgot my camera cord so these will have to do :/